My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one. John 10:27-30 NKJV
Sometimes when you read my blog, you will read a comment that I have written that speaks of being truly saved. Twenty years ago, had you asked, I would have told you I was truly saved. Now, I’m not so sure that I was saved back then, but I am sure now.
You see, I went through a long period in my life where I thought I was saved. I mean, I grew up in church and I loved the Lord. I got baptized at the age of 12 and thought that I did pretty well through my high school years. But I went through a period of about 25 years of my life where I thought that God would give me a pass for my sins. You know, I just thought He would overlook some things. I wasn’t putting Him first, I was putting me first. I was putting my wants above my needs. What I needed was a stronger, closer relationship with Jesus. But I wasn’t smart enough to see this. Now during this time period, there were a few times when I got closer to Jesus but I would let those little sins (I now know there is no such thing) get in the way. Then, like those Israelites in the desert, I would turn to God when my life got to be a mess and I would draw close to Him and He would make things better and I would be good for a while then I would mess up again. If you had asked me if I was saved, I would have said yes. If you had asked me if I was going to heaven when I died, I would have said yes. But honestly, looking back now I’m not so sure.
You see I always heard people name the date, the time, the place and the circumstances in which they were saved. I am not even sure if I was 11 or 12, I remember very little about being baptized in my youth. I remember feeling called by God to be saved, but I remember little else about it. But I vividly remember that Sunday morning 10 years ago as I was standing at my clothes line in my back yard. You see, I had made a mess of things and I needed God desperately. I knew that I could not continue this roller coaster ride that had become my life. I could not continue living according to my circumstances. I cried out to God for help and it was almost as if I audibly heard Him tell me that I had to give it all to Him, even my sin. Even the sin that I wanted so desperately for him to just understand and overlook. He was telling me that He couldn’t do that and I couldn’t have peace until I let it go. So, that’s what I did. I asked Jesus to take it all. I gave it all to Him, I didn’t hang on to any of it. And He immediately went to work. In the beginning, it was hard. It was as if this sin had to be surgically removed from my life. I mean it was painful. But even through the pain, I knew that God was at work making my crooked path straight. I knew He was cleaning up this mess that I have made.
At that point, I realized that there is no sin in my life that is worth pulling me away from Jesus Christ. I realized that I had to stay close to Him. I have to live under his protective shelter. I have to follow Him. I have to trust Him. He has brought me through some hard times and I know He will never forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).
The other really big thing that has changed is that I no longer want to sin (Romans 6:1-2). Yes, I know that God will forgive me, but I also know that my sin creates a barrier between me and God (Isaiah 59:2). I want to be close to Him through praise and worship. I want to go to church and gather with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). I want to offer my tithe to show my appreciation for all He has given me (Malachi 3:10). I want to love Him with all my heart, soul, and mind (Mark 12:30).
On August 22, 2010 I surrendered all to Him. I know from that point forward that I was truly saved. I have studied His word. I have dedicated my time and my money and my energy to serving Him. I have given Him my all and put Him first in my life. I have learned that, as my pastor says, in order to have true joy in my life I have to put Jesus first, others second, and myself last. When I do this, He takes good care of me. He protects me from evil and He supplies my every need.
My prayer for you today is that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would go to heaven if you died right this minute. But if there is even the tiniest doubt, turn to God. Study His word. Seek the help of a pastor or trusted Christian friend to guide you into the salvation that is everlasting. You can’t afford to not be truly saved.
Have a great day!